The Wilmingtonian., 1887-01-08
sweetened bitterness.


ever-stsinless name of Chetwode is abhoErent
to il.
II it had been anyone but Sir Harry Blake
things might have been different, as well as
forgotten aud forgiven, but the circumstances
are really too awful.
"a married man I" 50 walls the county,
as they lift up their eyes and clasp their
hands as If in despair, when in reality half
of them rejoice in the thought that this bril-
liaut beauty has disappeared from their
mi list, giving chance to their faded ddugh-
ters; and the expectant widows, how they
inwsrdly laughed In their joy
"Poor Lady Mary p says Lady Chateris
while speaking to her husband few days
after the affair. "Who would have thought
itp
depend upon 1t, my DEAR everybody
knows their own business best" answers
Sir Charles 'Change OF air is bene-ci to
every one"
II wonder you eau talk with such leviiy,
Charles! Change of air indeed ~ Aud,
gathering up her skirts, my lady glidts " ith
much dignity from the room.
Sr Charles leans back with a sigh of de-
cIded relief as the door cluses.
''rnese ngly women" he says, show they
love escandal-especially when it's about a
pretty women Pretty, did say P-egad,
she is a queenl'
That Lady. Mary should be condemned on
all sides goes without telling.
How long she had struggled against her
fate, and how vainly, with all her woman's
wit, had she attempted to evado the urgent
appeals made by Sir Harry from day to day
Poor love, more sinned against than sin
ming, how hopelessly had she tried to hide
her unconquerable love Ali her inward
wrestling told for her not at all.
1t was Of no avail; Sir Harry was merciless
when were the Blakts otherwise? Seeing
the depth Of her affection, he worked upon
sensitive nature and truly loving heart, and,
with many flattering words and highly 10
mantle speeches, played out his part in the
drama OF her lifs, aud imploring her to fly
with him, at last gained her consent.
One memorable night, while all the house
hold were sleeping, two people stepped from
the library of Chelwods Manor, and went
forth to meet their doom.
Alas how soon one of them felt its bit
terness "Truly evil is wrought by want Of
thought"
Would Sir Harry have been so recklessly
happy il he could have seen into the future?
think not. Surely he would have hesitat-
ed before he had taken that fatal step, aud
ponder ere he made her untarnished name
the topic Of public conversation. But there
are many such, who forget how miserable
are the effects of their selfishness, aud re-
member not that 'the evil men do lived after
them"
The alarm is raised far and near, for many
and many mile. From Chetwode grooms
are sent OUT on every side to each adjacent
station for tidings of the missing beanty.
Her brother. Lord Chetwode,i is distracted.
He can neither eat nor rest. 1t is indeed as
IL nis one ewe-lamb had been srolen from its
told, and had left an empty space, never to
be re6led for him, unless she returns soon
and alone. Aud then, should this be so, he
will open his arms to receive her. aud the
past shall be forgotten by both as if it had
never been; but If disappointed II this hope,
he will follow them from place to place, he
tells himself, and have revenge upon Sir
Harry, whose treachery makes HIM tremble
with suppressed rage.
There is so little comfort In remembering
how lovable she was, and charming. Uu-
fortunately, "p-aising what is lost, makes
the memory of it more DEAR" far dearer
than when We possessed It.
The lamps are cleaning, voices are low
and hushed.
The gamblers are busy round the tables.
Some are flushed with excess Of luck; others
with ashen faces, are throwing down their
last coin; aud as they see it swept in by the
rake of the croupier, rise from the table, and
trying to assume utter careessness, leave
the room, perhaps to seek death outside.
Lounging into the goid-room, his though hts
far from the scene before him, Lord Uhet-
wode at distance sees Blake.
Sir Harry does not see him.
He is laughing merrily, and has undoubt-
edy been drinking heavily.
II say, Rawson," he says 81 won that.
Did you see Another slice like that would
set me straight. Shall risk it again for a
heavier sum, and cry double or quits ~
Lord Chetwode walks quickly to the table
lays his hand ON Blake's shoulder, and says
"Pardon me il wish to be quits with you
first. We will go outside, that We may be
quite alone"
Blake rises steadying himself as lie does
so, and, haggari, from shame and remorse,
follows Lord Chetwode from the room to
the gardens outside.
For wonder, they are deserted. No
sound breaks the stiffness of the night. Far
up above, the moon is shedding tender
radiance over the sinful earth beneath.
civilian, where is my sister?" Loid Chet-
wode says TO him passionately,
81 decline to tell you "
~ warn you not to tempt me too Gat.!"
"Sir, the Blakes were ,Ver towards to be
frightened by threat"
Then am to understand that you refuse
to allow me to rescue my sister nom The
abyss of sin into which you have so remOrse-
lessly plunged her?"
mot 80 fast my friend; your sister is quite
content"
But before he has time to complete his Sc n.
-.1T 4. l.